The National Food Chain Safety Office (Nébih) is an independent legal entity with nationwide competence and responsibility operating under the direct supervision of the Minister of Agriculture. Its annual budget is allocated by the government. The Nébih has a complex structure with various horizontal and professional directorates and testing laboratories. The Nébih’s tasks cover the whole food chain, from soil to retail distribution as well as catering in order to facilitate the safety of food and feed production with respect to animal and plant health and soil conservation. The Nébih is competent authority in the EU authorisation of novel foods.

The Risk Communication Directorate supports the activities of the competent authorities (quick risk assessments, risk communication, risk management supporting activities in the case of crisis situations, organizing simulation exercises). The directorate is the single national contact point for the Commission Service ACN (Alert and Cooperation Network: RASFF, AAC common network) and INFOSAN. The directorate is responsible for general communication and for providing early warning programs related to public awareness and education.

The Food and Feed Safety Directorate coordinates the multi-annual national control plan (MANCP). As a result of the cooperative preliminary work of the Ministry of Rural Development (now Ministry of Agriculture) and the Nébih, the Food Chain Safety Strategy 2013 – 2022 has been accepted by the government. The strategy determines the most important targets and duties connected to food chain safety, as well as provides guidance on the achievement of these desired goals. The new strategy is under drafting.